Kitchen lighting guide
Kitchen island lighting: how high, how many and how far apart.
The three numbers that decide island lighting — hanging height, pendant count and spacing — with a center-point chart for islands from 60″ to 120″ and the Hammerton Studio, ET2 and Studio M pendants we’d hang.
Number one · How high
30–36″ above the counter, then adjust.
Start at 30–36″ from countertop to the bottom of the pendant. On a standard 36″ counter that puts the bottom of the shade about 66–72″ off the floor. It lights the work surface without hanging in anyone’s eyes from a stool.
Adjust for the people and the ceiling. Go toward 36″ (or a little higher) if tall cooks stand at the island, or if the pendants block the view to a family room. On ceilings above 8 ft, add about 3″ per extra foot so the pendants don’t look like they are floating far below the ceiling.
Check the overall height range. Overall height (OAH) = ceiling height − counter height − clearance. With a 9 ft (108″) ceiling, a 36″ counter and 33″ of clearance, you need about 39″. Check this against the range on each product page. The Hammerton Gem Pendant adjusts from 14.3″ to 132.3″ on cord but only up to 69.3″ on chain.
Number two · How many
Count from the island length and the pendant size.
Odd numbers are not a rule. Two pendants can look as balanced as three. What matters is that the pendants and the gaps between them fill the island without crowding the ends.
| Island length | Small pendants (≤10″) | Medium pendants (11–16″) | Large pendants (17″+) | Or a linear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60″ | 2–3 | 2 | 1 | ≈ 40″ |
| 72″ | 3 | 2–3 | 2 | ≈ 48″ |
| 84–96″ | 3–4 | 3 | 2 | 56–64″ |
| 108″ | 4 | 3 | 2–3 | ≈ 72″ |
| 120″+ | 4–5 | 3–4 | 3 | 72–80″, or two |
Starting points, not rules. Confirm with the spacing formula below and a quick mock-up on site.
Number three · How far apart
The spacing formula.
Worked example. A 96″ island, three pendants, a 15″ end inset. Center spacing: (96 − 30) ÷ 2 = 33″. Centers fall at 15″, 48″ and 81″ from one end. With 13.5″ Studio M Tova 14 shades, the clear gap between them is about 19.5″, which is comfortable. With 22″ ET2 Penta Medium spheres, the gap shrinks to 11″, so two Pentas might be the better call.
Spacing chart
Where to put the junction boxes.
Pendant center points, measured from one end of the island. Hand this to your electrician before the ceiling is closed.
| Island | Pendants | End inset | Centers from one end | Center spacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60″ | 2 | 15″ | 15″ · 45″ | 30″ |
| 72″ | 2 | 18″ | 18″ · 54″ | 36″ |
| 72″ | 3 (small) | 12″ | 12″ · 36″ · 60″ | 24″ |
| 84″ | 3 | 15″ | 15″ · 42″ · 69″ | 27″ |
| 96″ | 3 | 15″ | 15″ · 48″ · 81″ | 33″ |
| 108″ | 3 | 18″ | 18″ · 54″ · 90″ | 36″ |
| 108″ | 4 (small) | 15″ | 15″ · 41″ · 67″ · 93″ | 26″ |
| 120″ | 4 | 15″ | 15″ · 45″ · 75″ · 105″ | 30″ |
Calculated with the formula above. Round to the nearest ½″ on site and check any recessed cans or beams.
Matching size to scale
Small, medium or large pendants?
Small (under 10″)
Read as a delicate row and leave the sightline open. Good in threes or fours. Examples: Hammerton Gem (7.8″), Icefall (6″), Aster (9.7″); ET2 Soji 13″ (4.75″).
Medium (11–16″)
The default for most islands, in twos or threes. Examples: Studio M Tova 14 (13.5″) and Quartz 5-Light (15.75″); ET2 Palla 16″ (15.75″) and Highball Smoke (16.5″).
Large (17″+)
Make a statement in twos, or alone on a short island. Examples: Studio M Stillo 9-Light (17″); ET2 Penta Medium (22″); Hammerton Gem Cluster 6-light (23.4″).
Mixing with a linear
A single linear and a row of pendants should not share an island. If you love both, put the linear over the island and pendants over a nearby table or sink.
Small pendants
Delicate rows of glass.
Hammerton · handblown crystal · 7.8″
Gem Pendant
From $1,095
A faceted crystal shade on a low 6″ canopy. Cord in 12 finishes or decorative chain; Clear, Smoke, Amber or Bronze.
View details
Hammerton · hand-formed glass · 6″
Icefall Pendant
From $1,095
A single piece of hand-formed glass that echoes ice. OAH 19″–120″; TRIAC/ELV or 0–10V dimming.
View details
Hammerton · blown & cast glass · 9.7″
Aster Pendant
From $1,095
Undulant hand-blown glass around a cast-glass diffuser. Also available with an E26 bulb base.
View details
ET2 · Satin White glass · 4.75″
Soji 13" LED Pendant
$268.20
A slim Japanese-lantern form in Satin White glass with a two-tone Gold and Black frame. 760 lumens.
View detailsMedium & statement pendants
More presence for larger islands.
Studio M · spun metal · 13.5″
Tova 14 Pendant
From $165.60
A clean half-dome of spun metal; the Black option has a gilded interior. OAH 17.5″–129″.
View details
ET2 · two-tone sphere · 15.75″
Palla 16" LED Pendant
$367.20
A unibody sphere with a concealed LED source to reduce glare. 3000K, CRI 90.
View details
ET2 · gradient glass · 16.5″
Highball Smoke 5-Light LED Pendant
$619.20
Cylinders of gradient smoke glass over a Polished Gunmetal LED housing. 1,800 lumens.
View details
Studio M · beveled crystal · 15.75″
Quartz LED 5-Light Pendant
From $1,618.56
Beveled crystal stalactites hung at varied heights, in Polished Chrome or Black. 2,380 lumens.
View details
Studio M · hand-blown glass · 17″
Stillo 9-Light LED Pendant
From $1,200.96
Elongated, hand-blown teardrop glass in curated colors. Gold, Satin Nickel or Black.
View details
ET2 · geometric · 22″
Penta Medium LED Pendant
$898.20
Black pentagons formed into a sphere and lit from inside; 3,720 lumens. Best as a pair.
View detailsThe alternative
Or hang one linear instead.
A single linear lights the whole island evenly from one junction box. Size it to about two-thirds of the island length and stop 6–12″ short of each end: about 48″ on a 72″ island and 64″ on a 96″ one.
The Hammerton Icefall Linear (44.7″ or 64.9″) and Mesa Linear (44″, 58.9″ or 75.6″) are both rated for sloped ceilings up to 45°. For a quieter line, the Studio M Hover 60 is just 1.5″ in section. Our linear chandelier size guide has the full chart.
Light quality
Bright enough to cook, warm enough to linger.
Color temperature
3000K is a good kitchen default: crisp enough for prep, warm enough at night. Every ET2 and Studio M pendant in this guide lists 3000K; Hammerton offers 2700K or 3000K at 93+ CRI.
Output
Pendants are rarely the only kitchen light. Add recessed or under-cabinet light for prep. Output varies a lot: the ET2 Soji 13″ lists 760 lumens and the Penta Medium 3,720.
Dimming
Hammerton’s Gem, Icefall and Aster pendants list TRIAC/ELV and 0–10V dimming. Many ET2 pendants are listed as non-dimmable; check each spec sheet before you plan a dimmer.
Lead time
Hammerton Studio pieces are made to order (4–6 weeks for the models here). Hammerton also offers quick-ship versions of some pendants, such as the Gem Pendant Quick Ship in four finishes.
From the maker
Hammerton Studio in real kitchens.
Hammerton Studio kitchen and bath inspiration, from Hammerton Lighting’s official YouTube channel.
Island lighting questions
Frequently asked
How high should pendant lights hang over a kitchen island?
Start with 30 to 36 inches from the countertop to the bottom of the pendant, which is about 66 to 72 inches off the floor on a standard 36-inch counter. Raise it slightly for tall cooks or to keep a view across the room, and add about 3 inches per foot of ceiling above 8 feet.
How many pendants should go over an island?
Two or three for most islands. As a rough guide: up to 72 inches, two medium pendants or three small ones; 84 to 108 inches, three; 120 inches or more, three or four, or one long linear.
How far apart should island pendants be?
Place the outer pendants 12 to 18 inches in from each end (measured to the pendant center), then divide the remaining length evenly: (island length minus twice the inset) divided by (number of pendants minus one).
How big should island pendants be?
Keep each pendant at least 12 inches narrower than the island depth, and leave a clear gap of roughly 6 to 12 inches or more between shades. Small 6 to 10-inch pendants suit rows of three or four; 17-inch-plus pendants look best in pairs.
Should I use pendants or a linear over my island?
Pendants add sculptural rhythm; a linear gives the most even light from one junction box. Both work. Choose by style and by where your electrical box is.
What color temperature is best for kitchen pendants?
3000K is a versatile default, with CRI 90 or higher so food looks true. Use 2700K if the kitchen opens into a living area and you want a warmer evening feel.
Keep planning
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